Epidemiology and Treatment Outcomes of Lymphoma in Karbala, Iraq: Insights from a Retrospective Analysis

Abstract

Background: Lymphoma is a heterogeneous group of hematologic malignancies whose clinical behaviour and outcomes are variable. Local epidemiological data is needed to inform local management plans and maximize patient care in resource-limited environments.

Objective: To assess the clinical features, modalities of treatment and outcome of lymphoma patients treated in oncology centres in Karbala and to examine the epidemiological trends of the study period.

Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study was done on the medical records of 120 histopathologically confirmed patients with lymphoma who were diagnosed and treated in Karbala. Descriptive statistics were used to extract and analyse the demographic, clinical, and staging data, treatment data, and outcome data.

Findings: Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) was found to be 69.2 percent and Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) was found to be 30.8 percent. Fifty-five percent of the patients were reported to have advanced-stage disease (Ann Arbor stages III–IV). Fifty two and five percent of patients who received conventional first-line regimens achieved complete remission (CR). Later stage and high serum LDH were linked to poor prognosis. The total mortality during the period of data collection amounted to 25%.

Conclusion: NHL predominates and high burden of advanced presentation at diagnosis is characteristic of lymphoma in Karbala. This needs enhancement of early detection programmes, development of diagnostic infrastructure, and establishment of formal regional lymphoma registries to improve survival outcomes across the Middle Euphrates region.